The Palestinian leadership called Thursday on its people to continue popular demonstrations but "in a peaceful way" after a month of deadly Israeli-Palestinian violence that has claimed the lives of at least 170 people.
"The leadership calls on all of our people who struggle and the national forces for unity and to continue the popular activities and stick to peaceful ways in all activities and national acts," said a statement from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's office.
"There was an understanding last night (Wednesday) between the Palestinian National Authority and the Israeli government for the two sides to exert utmost efforts to implement the understanding reached at Sharm el-Sheikh and the statement read by US President Bill Clinton," the statement added.
Israeli government spokesman Nachman Shai had said earlier Thursday that identical statements would be read out simultaneously by Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak announcing a truce reached overnight between Arafat and former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres.
He said the two sides would issue identical statements simultaneously at 2 PM (1200 GMT), but Israeli public television later said those statements had been delayed for "technical reasons."
However, Arafat's office said the statement just made on peaceful demonstrations was the only statement it planned to make, though there could be more announcements after a night-time cabinet meeting – GAZA CITY (AFP)
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